Labeling machine



Aug. 1, 1944.

W. D. KIMBALL ETAL LABELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTO s ,WZZZZace jnrfia/Z ATTORNEYS Aug. 1, 1944. w. D. KIMBALL ETAL- LABELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1.941 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 g @440 w. KHMBALL ETAL 5 9 LABELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS Aug, 1, 19446 w. D. KIMBALL ETAL 2,354,658

LABELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1941 a Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORN EYS 1944- w. D. KIMBALL ETAL. 2,354,688

LABELING MACHINE Fil ed Oct. 8,1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTO S Z! g ya;

ATTORNEYS Aug. 1, 1944. w. D. KIMBALL ETAL 2, 5

LABELING MACHINE Filed on. a, 1941 a Sheets-Sheet e 237 799 by 4 zw INVEN OR @MMQM ATTORNEYS 1944. w. D. KIMBALL EIAL 2,354,688

LABELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1941 8 Sheets-Shet 7 BY Edgar fl/aeZZ c? M ATTORNEYS Aug. 1, 1944. w. D. KIMBALL ETAL LABELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 I Patented Aug. 1, 1944 OFFICE LABELING MACHINE Wallace D. Kimball, Jackson Heights, N. Y., and

Edgar Ardell, Mlddleto Standard-Knapp Corporation, Portland, Conn,

, Conn, amignors to a corporation of New York Application October 8, 1941, Serial No. 414,196 23 Claims. (01. .216-58) This invention relates to machines for labeling cans, bottles and the like, and, more particularly, to machines of the kind in which the articles are moved through it in upright position or substantially upright position. Although vertical type labeling machines have been proposed heretofore, they have for one reason or another, includin extremely high cost, been unsatisfactory. The general object of the invention is to provide an improved vertical labeling machine which can be manufactured at moderate cost and which operates at high capacity.

The cans or bottles to be labeled usually come from a cooking process or a filling machine and then, after receiving their labels, are sent to the casing apparatus where the articles are packed in' cases either for shipment or storage. The cans are fed to the labeling machine at a high rate per minute and the casing apparatus is also capableof high speed operation, and an object of the invention is also to provide a label machine which will place the labels on the articles at the necessary high rate per minute, and which will place the labels accurately in position without passing "shiners or unlabeled articles through the machine.

It is not infrequently desirable to shift over from labeling a batch of articles of one size to the labeling of articles of different size, and it is important that this change-over be accomplished as quickly as possible. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a vertical type labeling machine in which SllCh 9.- over can be made quickly, to operate upoirarticles of diiierent diameter or different height.

In changing over from labeling articles of one size to articles of another size, not only does the trackway along which the articles are conveyed have to be enlarged or reduced in size, but also the label magazine which presents the labels one at a time to the articles as they pass along the trackway, must be adjusted so as to cause the labels to be placed accurately in the correct position on the article. In addition the labels themselves sometimes vary in size and in other characteristics such as flexibility. A still further object of the invention is to provide for the ad- I justment of the label supply in the shortest possible time so that the labels will be correctly applied.

In applyingthe pick-upadhesive or gum to the articles, by means of which the outermost or foremost label in the magazine is picked ofi from thelabel supply'and caused to adhere to the can'or bottle, the vertical type labeling machine presents problems not present in the'horizontal type. One of these is the problem of uniform application of pick-up adhesive throughout the length of the can, or the height of the space to be occupied by the label. Another object of the invention is, accordingly, to provide a pick-up gum applying device or mechanism which solves this problem, and which is from the fact that the labels are applied in upright position instead of in horizontal position and the weight or the labels tends to displace them. Another object oi the invention is to ing the label smoothly onto overcome these difliculties and provide for wip the surface of the article.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a lap end'pasting mechanism which is so arranged as to avoid transferring paste to any but the foremost or outermost label in the mafgazine and which is also conveniently arranged for horizontal adjustment relative to the label magazine to accommodate labels of different lengths.

Another problem connected with vertical labeling machines isthe admission of the cans or bottles at the entrance end of the machinein suitably spaced relation to one another, and an other object of the invention is to provide for the feeding of the articles one at a time into the machine in uniformly spaced relation.

There is illustrated in the accompanying drawing s by way of example a vertical labeling machine embodyin the improvements of our invention, and from a consideration of these draw- 'ings in connection with the following detailed description, our invention will be understood. In these drawings: I I Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the improved labeling machine with parts broken away; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 isa longitudinal vertical section taken on line 3.3 of Fig. 2showing the-independent adjustment of thetwo carrier beltsj Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 8-5 of Fig. 2, drawn to a still greater enlarged scale, and showing the gum applying mechanism;

Figs. 6 and 'I are views illustrating details of the gum applying mechanism, Fig. 6 being a sectional view taken onthe line H of Fig. 5 and Fig. 'I being a fragmentary section taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6:

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing particularly the label magazine and its associated mechanism:

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the label magazine and lap end pasting mechanism shown in Fig. 2 but drawn to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken on broken line lll--ll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a partial plan view of the label magazine shown in Fig. 9 drawn to an enlarged scale and illustrating the curling-bar mechanism;

Fig. 11. is a vertical section taken on line In 0! F18. 11; v

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line lib-l lb of Fig. 11. and Fig. 10;

Fig. 110 is a perspective view of the curlingd'ii'ai:

mechanism;

Fig. 12 is an end view, partly in section taken a on line l2-l2 of Fig. 2, showing the can timing mechanism; Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on the lm lt-ll of Fig. 2 showing the lower supporting rail adjustment:

Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken on line "-44 of Fig. 2 showing the label wiper; and

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 showing the top guide adjusted for theaccommodation .of bottlesinstead of cans.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings. and first to Fig. 4. the machine has a hollow frame I substantially square in transverse section and cut away at the center of the machine on both sides (Fig. l) as indicated at 2, this space on each side being covered by a sheet metal plate (not shown). Frame I has at the front a flat top portion 3 (Fig. 4) and at the rear of this and elevated somewhat, there is a flat shelf portion 4. Above the flat portion 3 there is supported in horizontally adjustable but vertically fixed position an elongated plate 5 which extends longitudinally from end to end of the machine and upon which are mounted the can-timin mechanism 6 at the entrance end of the machine, the pick-up gum applier I, the label magazine 8 and the lap end pasting mechanism 9, as well as the various members which constitute the can guides.

Above shelf portion 4 of the frame are mounted the supporting track ll, on which the cans or bottles are supported in their travel through the machine, the top guide I l for guiding the tops of thearticles and the carrier belts l2 and it, by means of which the cans are conveyed through the machine supportedon bottom track III and in rolling contact with the can guides which are on the opposite side of the can trackway from .the carrier belts. These can guides will be described in detail later on.

It will be understood that as the cans move past the gum applier I. a small quantity of adhesive is applied lengthwise of the surface of the can and in extent corresponding to the width 9 of the label used, and upon the next revolution of the can this adhesive is brought into contact with the front end of the foremost label in label magazine 8 which is thereby picked off the label supply and wrapped around the can as the can continues to move past the label magazine. Lap end paste is applied to the rear end of this label by the pasting mechanism a, which causes this end of the label to adhere to the can or more commonly to the front end of the label which it overlaps.

The cans are supplied to the left hand or entrance end of the machine by means of a positively driven conveyor comprising, for example, a pair of conveyor chains it which are driven preferably from the labeling machine. The incoming cans are carried on these chains and guided by means of side guides l5. At the delivery end of the machine a similar pair of conveyor chains i6 is provided preferably operated from the labeling machine and provided with suitable side guides forming a conveyor, by means of which the labeled cans may be carried to the next operation in the line, for example, to a casepacking machine.

The can guides referred to above are made up of several different elements at different portions of the can trackway. At the entrance end of the machine these guides comprise upper and lower parallel rails or bars I! against which the beads of the can roll (Fig. 12) The front end of the upper rail I1 is substantialiy'opposite the front end of the timing mechanism I (F18. 1)'- while the front, end of lower rail I1 is substaritially opposite the rear end of this mechanism (Fig. 2).

These two rails are supported at their front ends by brackets which will be described later 'of the labels and the other positioned at the bot tom edges of the labels. From the rear of the label magazine 0 until the cans are delivered to the outgoing conveyor chain IS, the can guide consists of a flat metal plate 24 on the surface of which a roll-down pad I! of soft resilient material such as sponge rubber is mounted. The bodies of the cans roll over this pad and by it the labels are smoothed out flat on the can surface.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3, the carrier belts l2 and i3 are of the V-type and are supported by pulleys at opposite ends of the machine. The pulleys for lower belt I! are indicated at 25 and 26 and those for upper belt l3 at 21 and 28. Pulleys 25 and 21 are mounted on a vertical rotary post 29 at the right hand end of the machine, and pulleys 26 and 28 are mounted on a similar post 30 at the left hand end of the machine. These pulleys are slidably keyed to the posts upon which they are mounted so as to rotate with the posts but to be vertically movable thereon to permit the adjustment of the carrier belts as is to be described.

These vertical posts 28 and 3| serve not only as shafts for supporting the carrier belt pulleys. but also as structural members to support all of the mechanism which is above the shelf portion s,ss4,oss

4 of the machine frame including the idler pulleys for keeping the carrier belts in contact with the cans and the structure for maintaining the upper ends of the posts 29 and 30 inappropriately spaced relation. Hence posts 29 and 39 are of suhstantial diameter so as to give rigidity to the structure.

These posts 29 and 39 are mounted in'the machine frame at their lower ends only, these ends being reduced in diameter to form a shoulder 9i (see right hand of Fig. 3) which supports the posts on a washer 92 which rests on the upper surface of shelf 4. The reduced lower end portion of each of the posts is received in a bearing bushing within bosses l9 and 34, respectively, formed on the lower side of shelf 4. Washers 32 are preferably of the horse shoe type fitting into grooves 95 formed in the posts 29 and ill just below shoulders 3i, these washers serving thereby to prevent the posts from vertical movement in their bearings during the adjustment of the carrier belts. i

In order to maintain the upper ends of rotary posts 29 and 39 in axial alinement with their respective bearing bushings at their lower ends against the tension of carrier belts i2 and If, a spacing frame structure is provided comprising alongitudinal or connecting member 36 which is bolted at its ends to end members 31 and 98. Each of these end members has a vertical bore 39 closed at the top and forming a hood over the upper ends of the rotary posts 29 and 30, both concealing the upper ends of these posts and forming a bearing surface for the upper ends of these posts. Preferably the bores 39 do not fit the upper ends of the posts but are made somewhat larger, and each post is provided at its upper end with an enlarged head 40 which fits the bore 39. For lubricating the bearing surfaces between these parts, a stem 4i is secured in the upper end of the head 40 and suitable grease passageways are provided between the bearing surfaces and the upper end of this stem, at which point a pressure grease connection is placed.

The carrier belt pulleys 21 and 28 for the upper carrier belt are move vertically on their respective posts 29 and 29 for the vertical adjustment of this belt by moving the frame structure just described including the end members 3'? and 39 and the connecting member 96, this frame structure being indicated generally by numeral 42. In order to cause the movement of this frame structure to shift the pulleys, each of the end members 3! and 99 has a bracket member 49 (Fig l2) the upper portion of which is bolted to a boss on the rear side of the end member and the lower portion of which has a face which bears against the lower surface of the pulley and positions the pulley against the lower end of the end member.

The spacing frame structure 42 is adjusted vertically by means of a pair of stationary screws 44, each having a sprocket nut member 45 threaded upon it, these nuts closely fitting within recesses 45 in the end members. The sprocket nuts 45 are simultaneously rotated by means of a chain 41 which passes over both sprockets and then around two idler sprockets 49 at the center of frame 42 and around an adjusting sprocket 49 which is secured upon a sleeve 50, at the upper end of which there is an operating handle The idler pulleys 52 for the upper carrier belt i3 are mounted in suitable housings containing springs (not shown) which yieldably urge the idler pulleys against the back of the carrier belt.

The housings for these idler pulleys 52 are mount- The lower carrier belt ed in spaced relation along a bar 53 which extends between the end members I! and 99 below frame member 25 and is suitably attached to the end members as by means of bolts.

i2 and its idlerpulleys 54 are mounted for vertical adjustment in a somewhat similar way. The idler pulley housings which are similar to the housings for idler pulleys 52 for the upper belt are mounted in spaced relation along lower supporting bar 55 and at each end this bar is bolted to her 56. These end members are provided with plates 51 which serve the same function as the brackets 43 of the upper end members 31 and 58. namely, that of maintaining the pulleys 25 and 25 in engagement with the surfaces of the respective end members 56 at all positions of the adjustment of these members. Plates 51. are bolted at their inner portions to their respective end members through spacing blocks 59.

The simultaneous vertical adjustment of the two lower carrier belt pulleys 25 and 25 is accomplished by means of two sprocket nuts 59 thread-- ed upon the fixed screws 44 near their lower ends. these nuts being placed within closely fitting recesses in a similar manner to sprocket nuts 45. Screws 44 are mounted at their lower ends in bosses 50 projecting from beneath the shelf portion 4 of the machine frame and are bolted in fixed position within these bosses.

To turn the two sprocket nuts 59 simultaneously so as to adjust the lower carrier belt l2, a chain 6i passes over these sprockets and then over a pair of idler sprockets 62 near the center of the machine and thence over an adjusting sprocket 63. These three sprockets are vertically beneath the corresponding sprockets for the upper adjusting chain 41 (Fig. 3). Adjust sprocket 83 is secured to the lower end of an operating shaft 66 which passes through sleeve 58 and which is squared as shown at at its upper end to receive an adjusting handle or wrench.

The supporting track l0 (Fig. 13) although fixed in position vertically, is mounted so as to be adjustable horizontally. It is carried on a pair of brackets 86 located towards each end of the machine. The inner end of each of these brackets is'bolted to an upward projecting part of a nut member 51, one of which is threaded upon a horizontally rotatable shaft 55 and the other on a similar shaft 69 (Fig. 2). These two shafts are mounted for rotation in the vertical walls of the machine frame i just below the horizontal shelf 4 (Figs. 4 and 13) and are simultaneously rotated by means of sprockets on each shaft and a chain ll (Fig.2) at the back of the machine. The operation of this chain will be described below.

The top guide II for guiding the tops of the articles and maintaining them in proper position in the trackway withtheir bottoms against the bottom supporting track i9 and the beads of the cans opposite the centers of the carrier belts is a composite structure comprising a rigid bar 1i and a thin, flat, somewhat flexible can contacting rail 12, the latter being supported beneath the former and mounted to be yieldable in the upward direction by means of helical springs 13 (Figs. 10 and 14). This top guide ii is supported so as to be simultaneously adjustable with the upper carrier belt I! and in addition can be lifted from contact with the cans and swung upward and backward so as to permit quick access to the can trackway, if necessary. Top guide Ii is therefore supported on connecting member 36 of an adjustable end memment is concerned, fixed be understood, however,

viously described and pivoted at the rear of frame member 36 near its When the guide II is in operating position, these mountings ll rest upon the top edge of member 86 and the mountings swing backwardly about their pivots whenever it is desired to lift the guide out of operating position.

In order to permit both vertical and horizontal adjustment of the top guide H to accommodate different size cans, the rigid bar member ll of the guide is apertured to receive a horizontal rod 15 and this rod is supported at its inner end by a vertical bar 16 which is secured to the mounting 14 by a releasable clamp TI. When it is desired to raise or lower the guide II, this releasable clamp 11 is operated and bar 18 is shifted to the desired elevation. In order to change the horizontal location of top guide H for can of different diameter, the bar II is shifted along the supporting rods 15 and then reclamped in the desired position.

The mechanism for supporting the horizontal plate 5, upon which the timer 6, gummer l, label magazine 8 and lap end pasting mechanism 9 are mounted, together with the can guides comprising rails l1 and I9, magazine rails 22 and plate 24, will now be described. This mechanism supports all of these machine parts in flxed position vertically but in adjustable position horizontally so thattheir horizontal adjustment can be accomplished at one operation.

Plate is supported and adjusted by two horizontal rotatable threaded shafts 18 and 19 extending crosswise of the machine near each end (Figs. 4, 8 and 1). The plate is connected to these two shafts by means of two members 80. These members have bracket portions which extend upwardly through transverse slots 8| in the flat top portion 8 of the machine frame and are bolted to the lower side of plate 5. Members 80 also have elongated sleeve portions 82 which at their opposite ends have bearing surfaces closely fitting the transverse shafts I8 and 19, and at the front of these sleeve portions removable nuts 83 cooperopposite end.

ating with the threaded portions of rods 18 and 18 are provided.

These two shafts l8 and 19 are connected at the back of the machine for simultaneous rotation by means of sprockets 84, one on each shaft, and chain Ill (Figs. 2 and 4). A handle 95 is placed on the front end of shaft 1-8 and by turning this handle the taneously to move plate 5 horizontally. Since chain 19 also passes around the sprockets on shafts i8 and 89 of the bottom supporting track Ill, the lateral or horizontal adjustment of this track is accomplished" simultaneously with the adjustment of plate 5 and the different mechanisms carried thereby. The pitch of the threads on shafts 88 and i9 is one-half that of the threads on shafts l8 and 19' so that the supporting track is always kept at the center of the trackway.

The adjustment of the label machine to accommodate cans of different diameter is accomplished entirely by turning this single crank which moves all of \e parts mentioned above either closer to or farther away from the carrier belts l2 and I8 which are, so far as vertical adjustin their position. It will that after the general adjustment of plate 5 and bottom track In to accommodate cans of larger or smaller diameter, the top guide II is similarly adjusted as preillustrated in Figs. 14 and '15. It will also be understood that the lateral adjustment of the individual parts mounted on plate 5, such as the gum-applier l, label magazine 8 and lap and paste mechanism 9 to obtain 5 the proper operation of these individual parts two shafts are rotated simulmay be desirable after the general readjustment of plate 5 for a different diameter can. This is provided for in the construction of these individual parts to be described further on.

The labeling machine, the supply conveyor chains M and the delivery conveyor chain ii are driven by an electric motor mounted within the lower portion of the right hand end of the frame of the machine. This motor is connected through a belt 81 and suitable pulleys to drive a main shaft 88 extending throughout the length of the machine and journaled in suitable brackets secured to the frame I.

The drive of incoming conveyor chains I4 is accomplished through worm gearing 89 at the extreme left hand end of shaft 88 and through a vertical chain 90 connecting this gearing with the sprocket shaft 9| of chains II. The delivery conveyor chains l9 are similarly driven at the opposite end of the machine by means of worm gearing 92 and chain 98.

In order to drive or operate the timing mechanism I, the gum applier I and the lap end pasting mechanism 9, and at the same time permit the desired adjustment of these parts on their adjustable supporting plate 5, a common drive shaft 84 is mounted in suitable bearing brackets located on the upper surface of plate 5 and extends throughout the length of this plate. This shaft is driven from a stub shaft 95 located above the driving motor 88 (Figs. 1 and 4) In order that the drive of shaft 91 may be independent of the adjustment of plate 5 laterally, the particular driving arrangement illustrated in Fig. 8 is provided. This comprises a chain 96 passing around a sprocket 91 on shaft 95, thence upwardly around two swingably mounted idler pulleys or sprockets 98 and 99 and thence over a sprocket I00 on shaft 94 and back to sprocket 91. Idler sprockets 98 and 99 are mounted on the opposite ends of a pair of equal length arms l0! which are pivoted at their centers on a shaft I02. A helical spring I02 wound around this 0 shaft urges the two idler pulleysin a direction to take up the slack in chain 98 as plate 5 carrying shaft 94 is shifted to the right from the position of Fig. 8, which is the position for operating on the largest diameter can for which the machine is intended.

The carrier belts l2 and II are also driven from stub shaft 95 by means of a driving connection between this shaft and the right hand rotary post 29. This connection comprises a short vertical shaft llll (Figs; 3, 4 and l) the upper end 0 of which projects into a hole drilled in the lower endof post 29 and is keyed thereto by means of 'key I05. Shaft I04 is driven from stub shaft 95 by means of the beveled gearing I08.

The timing mechanism 6 by which the cans are 0 admitted to the labeling mechanism in properly spaced relation comprises a small belt I01, preferably of the V--type, the outer surface of which engages the can body above the bottom bead (Fig. 12). This belt is carried on three pulleys, 0 two idler pulleys I08 and H19 and a driving pulley H0. These pulleys are mounted for rotation on vertical axes on the arms of a three-armed bracket H I which, by means of a clamp H2 (Fig. 2)

is secured in adjustable position on an upright 5 rod H8. This rod also carries above bracket ill,

or 4 to inches and such spacing can be obtained a bracket m (Fig. 12) which supports the front end of upper can guide rail, I1 in vertically ad-- iustable position on the rod. On rod III below bracket II .there is another bracket II! which supports lower can guide rail I1.

The uprght rod III is itself vertically adjustable so as to simultaneously vertically adjust both of rails I1 and the timer belt I01. This is accomplished by meansof a threaded bushing I II which is rotatively secured to the lower end of rod H3 and is threaded into a base II1 mounted upon the top of plate I. Bushing I II is locked in adjusted position by means of a lock nut IIO. The driving pulley IIO of timer belt I01 is slidably keyed at II! to an upright shaft I parallel with upright rod H3 and driven by helical gearing' I2I at its lower end from shaft 94.

The operation or the timer 0 to accomplish the separation or spacing of the cans is as follows: The driving connections described above are such as. to drive the incoming conveyor chains I4 and the delivery conveyor chain I 8 at substantially the same speed, and the carrier belts I2 and I3 at a higher speed. This is necessary in order to pass the cans through the labeling machine at the same rate per minute at which they are fed to the machine by the incoming conveyor, since the cans on this conveyor are in close formation, as indicated in Fig. 2, and the cans pass through the labeling machine in open formation. In maintaining the cans in close formation the incoming conveyor may slide beneath them.

The timer belt I01 moves the cans forward toward the right from, position A (Fig. 2) where the can is first engaged by the timing belt and also wholly supported by the bottom track I0, to point B, where the can first contacts the carrier belts I2 and I3 and then to position C where the can leaves the timer belt. The cans are advanced along the incoming conveyor in a movement of translation, that is, they move forward bodily without rotation. At the point A where a can first contacts the timer belt I01, the can commences to turn about a vertical axis rolling along the surface of side guide I5. Timer belt I01 moves in the same direction as carrier belts I2 and I3 but at a slower speed. Hence the rotation of the cans is counterclockwise, in the direction of the dottedarrow. This rotation continues from, point A to point B where the can contacts the carrier belts I2 and I3. Between position A and point B the cans move forward at half the speed of timer belt I01. From point B to position C, that is, during the time the can contacts both timer belt I01 and carrier belts I2 and I3, the can moves forward at half the sum of the speeds of the timer belt and the carrier belts. Since both timer andcarrier belts are moving in the same direction the canmust move i'orward at a greater speed than between the points A and fixediand the speeds of'timer-belt I01 and belts I2 and I3. The cans attain their maximum speed between thepoints-rB and C and thus move away B. Hence the: distance between the can at position C and thenext preceding can, or, in

from cans traveling betweenpoints A and B. At

point C the cans leave timer belt I01 androll forward through thelabeling machine-in the clockwise direction as shown by the dotted arrows atone half the speed of the carrier belts.

The spacing between cans required in the labeling machine is not very great, being of the order;

by making the distance between points 8 and C comparatively short and without operating the timer belt I01 ata s faster-than the carrier belts. That is to say. the desired spacing can be obtained by operating the timer belt at a speed above that of the incoming conveyor chains it but below that of the carrier belts I2 and I3. This speed can be varied by changing the size of the driving pulley IIO or in any other desired manner.

The gum applier 1 is shown in detail in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 and also in Figs. 1 and 2. This mechanism is mounted on-a gum or adhesive receptacle I22 which has a base I23 arranged to slide upon the upper surface of lateral adjusting plate 0. This base has members I 24 at the bottom which engage both the side edges andthe bottom margins of the plate and support the base and adhesive-applying mechanism in longitudinally slidable relation on the plate. a

It will be understood that since the can makes one complete revolution between the gum applier 1 and the front end of the label magazine 8, it is necessary to readjust the longitudinal position of gum applier 1 on its supporting plate 5 whenever there is a change in the diameter of the cans to be labeled. To accomplish this adjustment a long screw I25 having a crank I26 at its left hand end is arranged in threaded engagement with the slidable base I23 of the gum pot I22. This screw is journaled in a bracket on plate 5 which prevents longitudinal movement of the screw.

The gum pot has a gum pump I21 mounted within it, the shaft of the pump being indicated at I28. In order to the same time permitlongitudinal adjustment of the gum applier, a short shaft I29 is journaled at theleft hand end in a bracket on plate 5 and driven from shaft 94 by means of a chain I30 and suitable sprockets. These two shafts are parallel and shaft I29 is connected with pump shaft I28 by an extensible connection formed by means of a slotted sleeve I3I which telescopes over the right trolled electric heater (not shown) mounted in the base of gum pot I22. This liquidadhesive is drawn into the pump through passageway I34 and delivered through passageway I35.to a vertical gum head I36 which is provided with a series of adhesive-applying nozzles I31 by which the adhesiige is applied to the can in a-vertical row of spa v v Gum head items a vertical gum distributing passageway I30 extending from top to bottomand 1 at the bottom this passageway is enlarged and charg end of passageway connection with nipple I39the gum head may be drive the pump shaft and at us. By means or this commodate cans of diilerent diameters.

, their holes I33 so as adhesive but also to enable the trackway to acconnection with nipple I33 is also slidable.vertically so that the gum head may be adjusted to center the nipples between the beads of the can as shown in Fig. 5.

To accomplish both of these adjustments the gumhead is provided with an arm I43 projecting laterally from its side, and this arm is provided with a curved slot I which receives a vertical post I43 which is mounted in fixed position on the topof pump I31. Threaded onto this post above and below arm I is a pair of knurled lock nuts I43. By manipulating these nuts the gum head can be pivoted about nipple I33 to properly adjust the nozzles I31 with relation to the surface of the cans, and the gum head can also be shifted vertically and then locked again in its readjusted position.

As may be seen best in Fig. 6, the nozzles I31 are positioned at one side of the gum distributing passageway I33. They each comprise a slender rod I which closely fits a hole I43 drilled through the gum head, this rod being tapered at its left hand end (Fig. 7 provided with a knurled handle I at its site end. The gum is conveyed from the distributing passage I33 to each of the nozzle-positioning holes I by a transverse passage I".

To enable the nozzles to be thrown out of action to accommodate shorter cans than shown in Fig. 5, for example, or in case it is desired to 6) to form a nozzle, and

head I36 to .cause the nozzles to deposit spots of gum of equal size, the adhesive applier will always produce a uniform distribution. when these valves are once correctly set, they do not have to be adjusted thereafter when changing from one height can to another, inasmuch as the nozzle cut of! is independent of these needle valves.

Another consideration of importance in label- Ing machines is the maintenance of uniform temperature in the adhesive spots from one end of the can to the other. If the temperature of the top spots of adhesive, for example, is lower than that of the bottom spots, the top spots of adhesive will have a lower viscosity than the bottom spots and will not spread out as thin when the label is wiped onto the can, but will form decided lumps place fewer spots of adhesive upon the cans, or

place more at the center, the nozzle rods I are shiftable in to withdraw the nozzle tips I31 from operative postion, the top nozzle of Fig. 5 being shown desirable to automatically cut of! the supply of adhesive to the nozzle tip simultaneously with this withdrawal of the nozzle. To accomplish this and to convey the adhesive from the cross passages I" to the nozzle tips, each of the nozzle rods I is reduced in diameter as shown at I43 forming a space for the adhesive to pass from passage I41 to a transverse which connects with a longitudinal bore Illl that conveys the gum to the tip of the nozzle.

In reducing the diameter shoulder III is formed which, as the rod I is shifted outwardly, closes passage I41 and cuts oil the supply of gum.

The nozzle rods I are each held in operative position by means of a helical spring I33, one end of which engages a collar I33 on the rod, and the other end of which engages a stationary slotted bar I34 which is secured in fixed parallel relation to gum head I36. Each of the nozzle rods I has a pair of projecting lugs I" which, when the nozzle rod is pulled outwardly and turned 90 by means of knurled handle I33, will engage the margins of the slot in slotted bar I34. as shown in Figs. 7 and 5, and hold the nozzle rod in its outward or inoperative position.

In a vertical labeling machine it is diincult to apply the adhesive uniformly throughout the height or the can on account of the variation in hydrostatic pressure of the adhesive between the bottom andt'op of the can. To overcome this difliculty, each of the individual nomle passages I" at the point where it communicates with the vertical distributing passage I33 is provided with an adjustable needle valve I33. Hence by correctlv setting each of these individual needle valves from the bottom to the top of the gum in such withdrawn position. It is hole I in rod Ill of rod I at I",

adhesive near the ends of the can than underneath the label.

To overcome this, the adhesive I33 ,which is maintained at a constant appropriate temperature is circulated by pump I21 through the distributing passageway I33 at a much greater rate than that at which the gum is withdrawn through the nozzle passages I31. That is to say, the adhesive is continuously recirculated through the passageway I33 and thence out at the top of the gum head through a conduit I31, the lower end of which I" delivers the gum substantially at the level of the body of gum I33 in the receptacle I22. By constantly recirculating the gum in this way, the gum head I33 throughout its length and nozzles I31 are maintained at a substantially uniform temperature.

The label magazine 3 and the lap end pasting mechanism 3 is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10 and they are both supported on plate 3 and adiustable horizontally therewith. In addition the label magazine is adjustable vertically with respect to plate 3 so as to permit the centering of labels which are substantially narrower in width than the height of the can. The lap end pasting mechanism is not adjustable vertically but is adimtable horizontally on plate 3 and relative to the label magazine in order to accommodate labels of different length.

The labels are carried in a pack or stack III in edgewise position on a smooth supporting plate I33. This plate is pivoted at its left hand end at I33 (Fig. '8) to a frame member "I and at its right hand end by the upper end of an adjusting screw I32. This enables the labels to be tilted so as to cause a proper meeting of the lap end with the pick-up end when the label is wrapped about the can. Also can labels vary engaged in many respects and not infrequently By the means just described, the labels can be tilted slightly with respect to the can-supporting track II, it necessary, to correct such defects.

Frame IOI is nxed to the upper end of a plunger I33 which is vertically siidable in a bracket member I33 (Figs. 10 and 8) which is bolted or otherwise flxed to elongated plate 3. Plunger I33 is recessed from below, and internally threaded and with these threadsis an adjusting screw III which has a handle I33 at its lower end by means of which the label stack may be bodily raised or lowered according to the width of the labels and for the purpose oi properly centering them on the can. Screwv I" has collars I31 on each side of the aperture where the screw passes through plate 3 so as to hold the screw against longitudinal movement. In order to prevent frame member iii and plunger I63 from rotating, and thereby maintain the front edge of label supporting plate I33 parallel with the can trackway, a vertical rod I68 (Fig. 8) projects do wardly from frame I6I and is arranged to slide in an aperture in an arm I69 projecting from bracket member I64.

The labels are urged and fed forwardly toward the can trackway by means of a label follower I10 which is mounted on the end of a horizontally 'novable bar "I. This bar is arranged to slide' m a guide In (Fig.9) which is secured to label supporting plate I69. The label follower is caused to press against the stack of labels with a constant pressure by means of the weight and chain mechanism shown in Fig. 8. Rack teeth I93 on the lower face of bar I" engage a pinion I14 on a horizontal shaft I15 which is mounted for rotation on the under side of guide I12. On the end of this shaft there is a sprocket I16 over which a chain I11 passes, and on the inner end of this chain, as shown in Fig. 8, there is a weight I18, while the opposite end of the chain i connected to a foot lever I19. The weight therefore urges the follower I10 continuously against the label stack I58 and when it is desired to replenish this stack, lever I19 is pushed downwardly by the foot which causes the label follower to be withdrawn so that a new stack of labels may be inserted on plate I59.

In order to properly control the label stack, label follower I10 is provided with a plate I80 pivoted at I8I (Fig. 9) to the label follower head and provided with an adjusting screw I82 at its opposite end. A helical spring I83 surrounding this screw biases the plate outwardly from the follower head and by turning screw I92 plate I80 is rocked about its pivot I8I in one direction or the other so as to cant this plate with respect to the can trackway. The reason for this is that some labels, such, for example, as embossed labels, may be thicker at one end than at the other, and in order to maintain the foremost label of the stack parallel with the trackway, the rear end of the label stack may have to be positioned at an angle to the trackway.

On account of still other variable characteristics of labels, it may be difiicult to cause the corners of the labels to make proper contact with the surface of the can sufficient to cause them to adhere. For this reason the label head I10 is provided with a thin, resilient plate I84 which is positioned in front of pivoted plate I80. AdJusting screws I85 are threaded into plate I80 near each of its four corners, and by turning up these screws, the corners of plate I86 may be bent inwardly so as to exert a greater pressure at one or more corners of the label stack than at its central portion.

The labels of the label stack I58 are fed forward by follower head I10 between the upper and lower label magazine rails 22 and 23. These rails are provided with small knives I86 (Figs, 8 and 9) which project very slightly from the label engaging surfaces of these rails. These knives retain the front portion of the label stack within the label magazine, the pressure exerted by follower head I10 being insufilcient to force the edges of the labels past these knives. Each individual foremost label is pulled past the knives by the pick-up gum on the can as it rolls past the magazine along the tracks 22 and 23.

Due to the fact that labels are almost never cut true in their width dimensions, different batches of labels of the same kind differing slightly in width, and inasmuch as the label which is being wrapped about the can must be positively guided at its edges in order to be properly positioned on the can, the top guide rail 22 is made tofloat," that is, to be at leastpartially supported bythe top of the stack of labels I56. For this reason top guide rail 22 is secured at its ends to a pair of pivoted arms I81. These two arms are pivoted on the outer ends of a shaft I88 which is also rotatable to adjust the height of the rail '22. Shaft I88 rotates in two slide blocks I69 which are arranged to slide vertically each in a pair of parallel ways I90. Ways I 90 are formed in the upper rectangular ends I9I.of two bracket members which are bolted to elongated plate 5.

In order towertically adjust the blocks I89 and thereby top rail 22, shaft I69 has two pinions I92, one near each end, the teeth of which engage rack teeth I93 placed adjacent the slideways I90.

To rotate shaft I88 it is provided at its right hand end (Fig. 9) with a'knurled adjusting handle I 94 and a locking nut I95.

In order to support arms I81 and top magazine rail 22 when no labels are in the magazine, two fingers I96 are provided, one securedto the outside of each of the slide blocks I89. An adjustable screw I91 is threaded into each of the arms I81 and the lower end of this screw engages one of the stop fingers I 96.

As the rear end of the outermost label is withdrawn from the stack by the rotation of a can, it is drawn past the edge of a curling bar I98, as shown in Fig. 9. This curves or curls the rear end of the label slightly so that it willmore readily adapt itself to the curvature of the can. This curling bar also assists the knives I86 in holding the stack of labels against the pressure of follower I10.

With the style of curling bar heretofore in use there was a tendency for paste from the lap end pasting mechanism to collect on the rear edge of the curling bar, and in a vertical labeling machine this paste' would run down to the bottom of the label stack. A surplus of paste would soon collect and there would be a tendency for this paste to be carried by the outermost label onto the bottom magazine rail 23. A collection of paste at this point would in turn cause paste to get onto the outside of the label as it is wrapped about the can and this is very undesirable.

In our present machine this diiiiculty has been overcome by the use of a hollow curling bar, that is to say, by placing in the curling bar I98 a groove I99 at its inner surface, preferably near the rear edge of the bar and operating the pasteapplying belt 200 within this groove in contact with the lap end of thelabel, as illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and 11b. In addition, the paste applying belt 200 is arranged to travel in the upward direction across the width of the label and through groove I99 in the curling bar. By placing the paste belt on the inside of the hollow curling bar and operating it in the upward direction over the face of the label, the excess paste is continuously pumped, so to speak, upwardly through the curling bar groove and carried away by the paste belt.

The paste belt 200 of the lap end pasting mechanism 9 operates from paste receptacle 20I (Fig. 10) where the belt is driven by means of a continuously rotating pulley 202 which dips into the paste within the receptacle. The surplus paste carried upwardly by the belt is removed by an adjustable scraping device 203, and the belt, preferably a closely wound helical wire spring; passes from pulley 202 over an idler pulley 204, thence upwardly through the hollow curling bar I98, around idler pulley 205 above the curling bar and 8 idler pulley Ill back to the paste receptacle pulley 202. v

These three idler pulleys together with curling bar ill are supported on the base ill of the lap end pasting mechanism'l so as to be adjustable therewith longitudinally of the supporting plate i. For this purpose a bracket lll is bolted to base ill at the left, which extends upwardly to idler pulley Ill. This bracket has two horizontal arms will and Ill which respectively support idler pulleys Ill and ill. These arms are braced by means of a spacing rod ill on which curling bar lll is supportedin a manner presently to be described.

In order to permit curling bar ill and paste belt ill to bear a ainst the surface of the. foremost label, the 'top and bottom magazine rails 22 and ll are provided with wide, elongated slots Ill (Fig. 9) which also permit the adjustment of the curling bar and paste belt longitudinally of the label stack when it is desired to use labels of a shorter length than those illustrated.

In order to eflect this adjustment, the base ill is arranged to be moved longitudinally on plate J by means of a long adjusting screw 2 ll having a handle ill at its right hand end (Fig. 9). By turning this handle the position of curling bar Ill and paste belt Ill in slot Ill may be adjusted for labels of different length.

The driving pulley Ill in the paste receptacle lll is mounted on a horizontal shaft 2|! which assacss is driven by miter gearing Ill from a short shaft ll'l parallel with shaft ll and journaled in bearings supported by base Ill. Short shaft lll is driven from shaft ll by two spur gears ill and Ill, gear Ill being connected to shaft ll by means of a slidable keyway ill and arranged to be slid along this shaft by the adjustment movement of base 201.

On account of the varying characteristics of labels it is frequently desired to impart a greater curl to some types of labels than to others and this is also accomplished by our improved curling bar mechanism which provides for regulating or adjusting the pressure of the curling bar. against the outermost label in the magazine. This mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 11, 11., 11s, 11, 9 and and by its means not only is the amount of curl adjustable, but a better curling action is produced, and in addition the lap end bf the label stack is properly held in position against the pressure of label follower lll.

To produce this improved and regulatable action of the curling bar, it is pivotally mounted so that it is permitted to turn under the pull of the label as it is wrapped about the can, as shown in Fig. 9. This turning movement is opposed by means of a yieldable or spring mounting which biases the edge of the bar against the surface of the label. In this way the label is drawn across the edge of the curling bar and under an adjustable yielding pressure which may be changed to suit labels of different character.

I'br this reason the curling bar lll (Fig. 11) is provided at its upper end with a rod-like extension lll which is arranged to pivot in a curling bar supporting member Ill, the length of the bar between these parts being sufiicient to properly control the operation of the curling bar. At the top of support ill the curling bar extension lll has a finger lll clamped to it for the attachment of a helical spring lll. This spring is fixed at its opposite or right hand endto an adjustable screw Ill which is threaded into a post Ill extending upwardly from the top of supporting member lll. Hence spring lll biases the front or operating edge ofthe curling bar Ill against the surface of the outermost label of the stack as indicated in F18. 11s, and the tension of this spring can be adjusted or regulated to produce greater orl'ess pressure against the surface of the. label.

The supporting member lll has a vertical portion Ill. which closely fits the slot Ill in the upper magazine rail 22- but is freely slidable therein. This member also has a horizontal or cap portion lll which rests on the upper surface of rail 22 and thereby supports the member ill and the curling bar;

Supporting member Ill is provided with a second vertical aperture at the rear of the curling bar shaft extension Ill through which the vertical spacing rod ill of the lap end pasting mechanism passes and by means of which the longitudinaladjustment of the supporting member and curling bar in slot 2l'l is effected. The shaft extension 2lll of the curling bar is provided with an axial bore in alinement with the groove I99 for the paste belt 200 and this belt, after leaving the upper end of groove I99 passes through this bore and out of the top of shaft extension 230.

The curling bar support 2ll is also provided with a member Zll for engaging the lap end of the label stack and supporting the stack against the pressure of the label follower l'll. ,Member 239 extends downwardly from the bottom of horizontal portion 2ll and is of a length sufficient to pass across the face of the stack of the widest labels for which the machine is intended. This member 238 extends into or through the slot in the lower magazine rail 23 as is indicated in Fig. 11.. The surface of member Ill, however, is slightly offset from the surface of vertical portion Ill as indicated in Fig. 11 and also in Fig. 11 so as to permitthe face of the label stack to extend close to the curling bar.

In a vertical labeling machine, when the lap end of the label leaves the curling bar, and before it has been wrapped onto the can, it has a tendency to drop down, or sag, due to its weight, which would result in the label being crooked on the can. To overcome this, we have provided a label wiper 22| which maintains the label pressed in continuous contact with the can on the carrier belt side, or in other words, on the opposite side of the can from the label magazine.- This results in causing the labels to be maintained continuously in their correct position on the can at a point 222 which is not more than 90 from the point Ill where the label first makes contact with the can as it is drawn beneath the curling. bar.

This'wiper Ill (Figs. 9 and 14) comprises a fiat, resilient, or resiliently mounted, member whose width is comparable with the width of the label, and which is positioned in the path of the travel of the cans and so placed that when a can contacts this wiper it moves it out of its way, and by so doing, causes the wiper to exert a wiping pressure against the label being applied. This wiper is so positionedthat when the rear end of the label leaves the curling bar, it is wiped onto the can before it has an opportunity to sag or whip, due to the centrifugal crce.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 14, this wiper is made of a sheet of spring material such as steel, and is fixed at its rear end to a head Ill which is secured to the end of a horizontal rod 225. This rod is adjustable horizontally and vertically in a double clamp 226. By loosening a screw 221, this clamp can be adjusted vertically on its supporting rod 228 which is mounted on shelf 4 of the machine frame. By loosening a nut 229, rod 225 and wiper 22l' can be adjusted horizontally or the wiper may be pointed upward or down-' ward. These adjustments provide not only for cans of different diameter and height, but also the pointing of the wiping face to wipe the label up or down, depending upon operating conditions, enables the wiper to cause the labels to properly adhere to the cans under widely differing labeling conditions.

By means of the present invention, we have provided a vertical labeling machine which has proved to be unusually successful commercially both in its speed of operation (the number of cans labeled per minute), in its adaptability to the labeling of cans of different types, with or without beads at both ends, and bottles of different types, and to the labeling of bottles or cans differing widely in size, that is, both diameter and height.

The machine lends itself to unusually rapid adjustment for operation on articles of different size, and the adjustments to obtain proper operating conditions on any particular size of article can also be obtained quickly. The machine also is of rugged construction and operates successfully at high speed with a minimum of attention.

It will be understood that the machine illustrated and described above has been chosen to exemplify our invention rather than to define or limit it, and that the scope thereof is set forth in the appended claims, and that changes may be made in the construction of the machine without departing from the spirit of such invention. It will be further understood that the term can'as used in the appended claims is intended to include not only metal cans within the ordinary meaning of the term, but also bottles and otherround objects capable of being labeled in the machine.

We claim:

1. In a vertical labeling machine, a trackway for cans in substantially upright position, said trackway including a bottom supporting track, a, pair of carrier belts and cooperating can guides for rotating and conveying the cans along said track, said carrier belts being relatively adjustable vertically iautfixed in position horizontally, an elongated carriage :mounted for horizontal adjustment with respectto said trackway, a label magazine mounted on=said carriage for supplying labels'inlupright yposition to said trackway, means for adjusting said magazine verti cally with respect to said carriage, a gum-applying device on said carriage for applying pick-up -gu'rn -to the cans before they reach the label magazine. means for adjusting said device longitudinally f said carriage, a timing device mountedon said carriage for admitting cans to said 'trackway one at a time in spaced relation and means for adjusting said timing device longitudinally-of said carriage.

2. In a vertical labeling machine, a trackway for cans in substantially upright position, said trackway including abottom supporting track, a pair of carrier 'belts andcooperating can guides for rotating 'andconve'ying the cans along said track, said carrierbeits being relatively adjustable vertically but fixed in position horizontally, a carriage mounted for horizontal'adjustment with respect to said trackway and a label magazine mounted on said carriage for supplying labels in upright position to said trackway and means for adjusting said label magazine vertically with respect to said carriage.

3. In a vertical labeling machine, a trackway for cans in substantially upright position, said trackway including a bottom supporting track, a pair of carrier belts and cooperating can guides for rotating and conveying the cans along said track, said carrier belts being relatively adjustable vertically but fixed in position horizontally, a carriage mounted for horizontal adjustment with respect to said trackway, a power operated timing device including rotary can impelling means mounted on said carriage for admitting cans to said trackway one at a time in spaced relation, a power-operated gum-applying device mounted on said carriage for applying pick-up gum to the cans in said trackway before they reach the label magazine, a label magazine mounted on said carriage for supplying labels in upright position to said trackway, a power 0perated lap end pasting mechanism mounted on said carriage for applying paste to the lap end of the outermost label and a power driven shaft mounted for rotation on said carriage and extending lengthwise thereof and means operatively connecting said shaft to operate said timing device, gum applying device and lap e pasting mechanism.

4. In a vertical labeling machine, a trackway for cans in substantially upright position,- said trackway including a bottom supporting track, a pair of carrier belts and cooperating can guides for rotating and conveying the cans along said track, said carrier belts being relatively adjustable vertically but fixed in position horizontally, a carriage mounted for horizontal adjustment with respect to said trackway, a timing device for admitting cans to said trackway one at a time in spaced relation and means for supporting said timing device on said carriage for vertical adjustment thereof with respect to said carriage.

5. In a vertical labeling machine, a trackway for cans in substantially upright position, said trackway including a bottom supporting track, a pair of carrier belts and cooperating can guides for rotating and conveying the cans along said track, said carrier belts being relatively adjusable vertically but fixed in position horizontally, a carriage mounted for horizontal adjustment with respect to said trackway, a gumming device for applying pick-up gum to the cans on said trackway mounted on said carriage and means on said carriage for adjusting said gumming device in a direction lengthwise of said trackway.

6. In a vertical labeling machine, a trackway for cans in substantially upright position, said trackway including a bottom supporting track, a pair of carrier belts and cooperating can guides for rotating and conveying the cans along said track, said-carrier belts being relatively adjustable vertically but fixed in position laterally, a label magazine for supplying labels in upright position to said trackway, lap end pasting mechanism for applying paste to the lap end f the outermost label, a gum-applying device fogipplying pick-up gum to the cans before they rea h the label magazine, a timing device for admitting cans to said trackway one at a time in spaced relation, an elongated carriage mounted for horizontal adjustment alongside said trackway for supporting in substantially upright position.

at the. side of said trackway having a horizontal said label magazine, lapend pasting mechanism, gum almlyinfdevice and'timing device, means for adjusting said label magazine vertically on said carriage and means independent of one another for adjusting said lap end pasting mechanism, 8m pply device and timing device longitudipally on said carriage.

'1. In a labeling machine, a trackway for cans a label magazine support for supporting a stack of labels edgewise, a guide to cooperate the labels as they are removed one by one and means for supporting said guide so as to permit it to rest upon the upper surface of the label stack and adapt its position to varying width of labels in said stack.

8. In a labeling machine, a trackway for cans, a gumming device and a label magazine arranged in operative position along said trackway, a carrier belt for conveying the cans along the trackway and causing the outermost label in the magsnine to be wrapped ab'o'ut successive cans, and a curling bar associated with the label magazine,-

said curling bar being pivotally and yieldingly positioned against the outermost label and adapted to be turned about its pivot by said label as it is withdrawn from beneath the curling bar by the rotation of the can.

' 9. In a labeling machine, a trackway for cans,

with said support in guiding in substantially upright position, a label magazine for maintaining a supply of labels with the face of the foremost label in upright position adjacent the can trackway, a curling bar maintained against the face of the foremost label having a groove therein, and a paste applying belt arranged to travel upwardly through said groove in contact with the label whereby excess paste is carried upwardly through the groove and removed by the belt.

10. In a vertical labeling machine, a trackwsy for cans in substantially upright position, a label magazine (or supporting a stack of labels with the foremost label adjacent said trackway, a curling bar maintained against the outer surface of the foremost label, a carrier belt for propelling the cans along the trackway so as foremost label in the stack to be successively withdrawn from beneath the curling bar and wrapped about the cans. and a wiping device on the opposite side of the can from the curling bar arranged to .yieldably urge the label against the surface of the can so as to prevent the sagging of the label after leavin the curling bar;

11. In a vertical labeling machine, a trackway for cans insubstantially upright position, a'carrier belt and cooperating can rails for rotating and conveying the cans along said trackway, a supply conveyor having a side guide terminating adjacent the front endof said carrier belt and a conveying element operated at a linear speed below that of the carrier belt, a timer belt on the opposite side of the trackway from. the carrier belt and operated at a speed predetermined with respect to that of the carrier belt, said can trackway including a stationary bottom supporting track for the cans the front end of which is in advance of the carrier belt, the timer belt engaging the cans from the beginning of said bottom track support to a point beyond the front end of the carrier belt.

12. In a vertical for cans in substantially upright position, said trackway including'a bottom supporting track, a pair of carrier beltsand cooperating can guides to cause the assaess for rotating and conveying the cans alongsaid track, said carrier belts being relatively adjustable vertically but fixed in position horizontally, a carriage mounted for horizontal adjustment with respect to said trackway, and a lap end pasting mechanism mounted on the carriage for lengthwise adjustment with respect thereto.

13. In a labeling machine. a trackwayfor cans, a gumming device and a label magazine arranged in operative position along said trackway, a carrier belt for carrying the cans along the trackway and causing the outermost label in the mags.- zine to be wrapped about successive cans, a curling bar. mounted for pivotal movement substantially on its axis, and means tending to rotate the curling bar about its pivot so as to. force the edge thereof against the outermost label, the edge of the curling bar moving somewhat with the label as the label is withdrawn from beneath the curling bar by the rotation of the can.v

14. In a labeling machine, a trackway for cans in substantially upright position, a label magasine for maintaining a supply of labels with the face of the foremost label in upright position ad- Jacent the can trackway, a stationary grooved member positioned in contact with the face of the foremost label, and a paste-applying belt arranged to travel upwardly through said groove in contact with the label whereby excess paste is carried upwardly through the groove and removed by the belt.

15. In a vertical labeling machine, a trackway for cans in substantially upright position, a label labeling machine, a trackway magazine for supporting a stack of labels with the foremost label adjacent said trackway, a curling bar maintained against the outer surface of the foremost label, a carrier belt for propelling the cans along the trackway so as to cause the foremost label in the stack to be successively withdrawn from beneath the curling bar and wrapped about the cans, a resilient blade, a support therefor. and means for adjustably mounting said support on the opposite side of the can trackway from the curling bar to permit said blade to be positioned yieldablyto urge the label against the surface of the can so as to prevent the sagging of the label after leaving the curling bar.

16. In a-vertical labeling machine, a trackway for cans in substantially upright position, a carrier belt and cooperating can rails for rotating and conveying the cans along said trackway, a supply conveyor having a conveying element operated at a linear speed belowthat of the carrier belt, a side guide adjacent the front end of the carrier belt, and a timer belt on the opposite side of the trackway from the carrier belt and arranged to overlap the end of said side guide and the front end of the carrier belt, said timer belt being operated at a speed predetermined with respect to that of the carrier belt, said can trackway including a stationary bottom supporting track for the cans the front end of which overlaps the said side guide, the timer belt engaging the cans from the beginning of said bottom track support to a point beyond thefront end of the carrier belt,

17. In a labeling machine, a trackway for cans and a label magazine arranged in operative position along said trackway, a carrier belt for carrying the cans along the trackway and causing the outermost label in the magazine to be wrapped about successive cans, a paste-appl ing b t grranged to travel across the face of the outermost label near its lap end, a curling bar, means for mounting said bar for pivotal movement about an axis extending longitudinally thereof and substantially coincident with the center of that por-. tion of said belt which travels across the label face and means for yieldingly rocking said bar to bias one edge thereof against the label, said bar being turned about its pivotal mounting by the label as the label is withdrawn.

18. In-a labeling machine, a trackway for cans, and a label magazine arranged 'in operative position along said trackway, a carrier belt for carrying the cans along the trackway and causing the outermost label in the magazine to be wrapped about successive cans, a'paste applying belt arranged to travel across the face of the outermost label near its lap end, a curling bar, means for mounting said bar for pivotal movement about an axis extending longitudinally thereof and means for yieldingly rocking said bar to bias one edge thereof against the outermost label, said bar being turned about its pivotal mounting by the label as the label is withdrawn.

19. In a labeling machine, a trackway for cans and a label magazine arranged in operative position along said trackway, rying the cans along the trackway and cause the outermost label in the magazine to be wrapped about successive cans, a" curling bar associated with the label magazine, means for mounting said curling bar. for yielding movement, and adjustable tension means for yieldingly urging said bar against the outermost label, said bar being moved by the neath it. v

20. In a labeling machine, a trackway for cans in substantially upright position, a label magazine at the side of said trackway having a'horizontal support for supporting a stack of labels edgewise and a label feed plunger adapted to engage the back of the label stack, means for feeding said plunger toward said trackway to cause the outermost label of the stack to be presented to be wrapped around a can moving along the traekway and to feed the label stack across said support as the labels are removed one by one, said feed plunger having a label engaging plate pivoted thereto at one end, means for adjusting said plate about its pivot, and said label plate having a screw adjacent each corner thereof for adjustably engaging the corner portions of the label stack to facilitate the adjustment of a stack of a carrier'belt for car-'- label asthe label is withdrawn from bewarped labels to level the outermost label thereof with respect to the can trackway.

21. In a vertical labeling machine, a trackway for supporting cans in substantially upright position, a carrier belt and cooperating can rails for rotating and conveying the cans along said trackway, a positively driven timerbelt on the opposite side of the trackway from the carrier belt, said timer belt overlapping the carrier belt for a predetermined distance and extending forward of the front end of the carrier belt, a can guide on the same side of the trackway as the carrier-belt and extending forward thereof opposite the timer belt, and means for feeding cans in close formation between the front end of the timer belt and said guide.

22. In a vertical labeling machine, a trackway for supporting cans in substantially upright position, a carrier belt and cooperating can rails for rotating and conveying the cans along said trackway, a timer belt on, the opposite side of the trackwayfrom the carrier belt overlapping the carrier belt for a predetermined distance and extending for supporting cans in substantially forward of the front end of said belt, said timer belt being positively driven at a speed predetermined with respect to that of carrier belt, a can guide on the same side of the trackway as the carrier belt and extending forward thereof opposite the timer belt, and means for feeding cans inclose formation between thefront end of the timer belt and said guide,

' 23. In a verticallabeling'machine, a trackway upright position, a carrier belt and cooperating can rails for rotating and conveying the cans along said trackway, a timer belt on the opposite side of the trackoverlapping the carrier way from the carrier belt belt for a predetermined distance and extending forward of the front end of said belt for a predetermined distance, a can guide on the same side of the trackway as the carrier belt and extending forward thereof opposite the timer belt, means for feeding cans between the front end of the timer belt and said guide at a speed lower than that of the carrier belt, said timer belt being positively driven at a speed below that of the carrier belt and not less than that of said can feeding means.

WALLACE D. KIMBALL. EDGAR ARDEIL. 

